Anatomy of the 'venous foot pump'

The gross anatomy of the deep plantar veins has been examined in 14 cadaveric feet in order to assess their function as a 'venous foot pump'. The lateral plantar vein was found to be larger than the medial and is double in its proximal segment. Both plantar veins contain valves which face proximally and have a convoluted and intermuscular course. These features suggest that the deep plantar veins act as a pump that empties during contraction of the intrinsic foot muscles during the stance phase of gait.